The weddings have happened -- but will they count ?

A day after a federal judge struck down a Michigan state amendment restricting marriage to between one man and one woman , gay and lesbian couples lined up Saturday to make their unions official .

`` We never thought that we 'd see this day , '' said Ann Watson , who wed her partner of more than 23 years . `` In that sense , it 's amazing . ''

Watson -- who works for Turner Broadcasting System , an entity that includes CNN -- and her partner were one of 57 couples to get same-sex marriage licenses in Ingham County , according to county clerk Barb Byrum .

Byrum , a Democrat elected to the county clerk post , said that she personally performed 30 ceremonies in Mason .

`` Today was an awesome day , '' Byrum tweeted .

Not all county clerks followed suit by taking the abnormal step of opening up their offices on a weekend . But there were a few others , such as in Oakland County , according to CNN affiliate WDIV .

There , in Pontiac , Frank Colasonti and James Ryder arrived early for the chance to marry after 26 years together .

Colasonti told WDIV that `` we wanted to get married as soon as possible '' in the wake of the court ruling issued late Friday afternoon . Their motivation was simple : `` We love each other , and we want to make sure that we protect each other . ''

As to being among the first gay couples married in Michigan , Colasonti said , `` It 's historic , and we 're glad we 're a part of it . And we are just happy . ''

There 's a chance that their marriage could be among the last , too .

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette , a Republican whose term expires later this year , announced on Friday evening he 'd filed an emergency request for U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman 's order to be stayed and appealed .

`` In 2004 , the citizens of Michigan recognized that diversity in parenting is best for kids and families because moms and dads are not interchangeable , '' Schuette said . `` Michigan voters enshrined that decision in our state constitution , and their will should stand and be respected . ''

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an order Saturday to temporarily stay through at least Wednesday the decision by Friedman . In its brief order , the court explained that it did so `` to allow a more reasoned consideration of the motion to stay . ''

Earlier , the same court had said that those opposed to Schuette 's request have until noon Tuesday to respond .

It 's not immediately clear what will happen , then , with the same-sex marriages that took place earlier Saturday .

Watson said she is n't surprised by the stay and is bracing for the idea she and Sherman wo n't immediately have full benefits available to them in Michigan -- though she expects that , at least , they 'll now have federal benefits available to marriage same-sex couples .

`` It is what we expected , '' Watson said . `` We know that we are on the right side of history . ''

In fact , Friedman 's ruling was the latest in a series of recent district judge decisions -- which have also affected Texas , Virginia , Kentucky , Oklahoma and Utah -- striking down state laws restricting marriage to one man and one woman . Judges later issued stays of those decisions until higher courts weigh in .

Carl Tobias , a professor at the University of Richmond 's law school , explained that appellate judges must weigh in on all these cases . The Supreme Court likely wo n't add its input until its next term , which starts in October . Still , the trend in the courts -- which also happens to mirror that in public opinion polls -- so far is clear .

`` It 's all in one direction right now , '' Tobias said .

Regardless of the fact her situation is in limbo , Watson and her partner are celebrating , nonetheless . They have family members expressing joy and solidarity along with them , such as a brother-in-law who noted the two are finally `` acting out what 's been in place for years . ''

But most importantly , they have their 16-year-old daughter to savor the moment with -- who they were able to jointly adopt years ago in Georgia and who was at her parents ' wedding ceremony in Mason .

`` She 's excited about it , '' Watson said .

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Woman married in Michigan says she expected the stay

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Gay , lesbian couples marry for the first time in Michigan

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Ingham County issue such licenses for 57 couples , its clerk says

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Appeals court temporarily stays the decision to end same-sex marriage ban